Once upon a time the sheep complained to the shepherd about the difference in his treatment of themselves and his dog "Your conduct," said they, "is very strange and, we think, very unfair. We provide you with wool and lambs and milk and you give us nothing but grass, and even that we have to find for ourselves: but you get nothing at all from the dog, and yet you feed him with tit-bits from your own table." Their remarks were overheard by the dog, who spoke¹ up at once and said, "Yes, and quite right, too: where would you be if it wasn't for me? Thieves would steal you! Wolves would eat you! Indeed, if I didn't keep constant watch over you, you would be too terrified even to graze!" The sheep were obliged to acknowledge that he spoke the truth, and never again made a grievance² of the regard in which he was held by his master.

 

从前，有一群羊向牧羊人抱怨自己和狗受到了差别待遇。“你的行为很奇怪，”羊群说，“我们认为非常不公平，我们为您提供羊毛、羔羊肉和羊奶，你却只给我们吃草，甚至于我们还要自己去找草吃。你从狗那里什么也没得到，可你却从自己餐桌上拿些精美的食物喂他。”狗听到了他们的言论，立刻开口说：“是的，的确如此。要不是有我在，你们会在哪里呢？小偷们早就偷走你们了！狼也会吃掉你们！其实，如果没有我守护着你们，你看可能连吃草都吓得不敢去！”羊群不得不承认他说的有道理，便不再提受到主人差别待遇的意见了。

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